Chess forum by Grandmasters

Missing chess tactic themes

The ninja course doesn't have sections on:

Encirclement - taking away squares from a piece with limited movement

Trapping - stopping a piece escaping

Zugzwang - endgame theme but has been considered tactical e.g. by Purdy

Stalemate - some tactical collections include stalemate as a theme

Any others?

Replies

Encirclement is related with trapping, the section which we'll add. 
Zugzwang and stalemate are 99% endgame topics, and we'll cover in the endgame courses. 
Yeah, in 0.001 cases they also occur in the middlegame, but we didn't create this course for just creating it. We did it to help our students to maximize their growth, even if they have limited time. 

ANALYSING CHESS GAMES

Which software do you use to analyse your names. I have tried several and they give different moves so l am left confused. Your help would be much appreciated.

Replies

What do you mean? You just need yourself to analyse your games ^^

Use decodechess it gives a detailed explanation of the ideas and problems behind each move in rich and intuitive language. The only problem is that you can only analyse two moves a day if you do not wish to spend money. However, it’s analysis is almost as good as a coach. It is worth it to pay for it if you can’t afford a coach.

I guess finding a coach is not a bad option, I mean first you analyse by yourself, then check it with the engine (like Chessbase or Lichess or other recommendations). And you can present all your analysis with your coach for her/him to correct it, with detailed explanation. 

sorry for my English but hope that help!

The Trickiest French - A threat to our line.

There was a Survey in Chessbase Magazine 178 featuring our Pet Line, and among the analysed games was one highlighting a problematic move-order for us: 

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Bd3 dxe4 4.Bxe4 Nf6 5.Bf3 c5 6.Ne2 Be7!  This unassuming little sixth move is quite an annoying finesse against our line, and not even the variation's greatest specialist Vladimir Onischuk has been able to find a convincing answer. Black's idea is to defer the capture  on d4 until a better moment, while at the same time limiting White's attacking options as you will see.

I had been aware of this problem line since 2017, the year of the article, but quickly forgot about it since the Tarrasch was and is my main weapon against the French. However, motivated by our course, I was planning to surprise an upcoming opponent with the 3.Bd3 variation, until checking my files refreshed my memory.

Since 2017 the line continues to score well for Black at all levels, so we the ChessMood family must rise to the occasion and find a way to reverse that trend :-)  

Here is the game from the Survey with the authors notes in both English and German:

Replies

Thx Kevin for your great contribution!!!Who the survey in 178

Thx Kevin for your great contribution!!!Who the survey in 178

Yes, this line is in my database as well, and I thought it might be even stronger for Black to wait a further move and play 6...Nc6 7.Be3 and now Be7.  White’s pieces trip over themselves a bit because of the N still stuck on e2.   White can take the c-pawn and hold it for a bit, but black gets good compensation.  If instead you go 8.Nbc3 then Bd7 is possible and soon the pressure on b7 which we hoped the Bf3 will give is gone.  8.Nbc3 cxd 9.Nxd4 Bd7 10.Qe2 0-0 11.0-0-0 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Qc8 followed by Qc6

Kevin, you pointed on our heart, and pulled the trigger :) 
This Be7 is on our priority list, and we are working on this line with our team, with all kind of engines :) 
Hopefully, we'll have good news soon and we'll update the course. 

Hi, folks! Do we have something new in this 6.-Be7 line? As I have told you recently, I am testing your repertoire (both black and white) in correspondent games against strong players and this 6.-Be7 happened to me just today... Thank you beforehand for your answer!

It's been a long time that we all thought 6...Be7 is very strong against our tricky 3.Bd3 in French.
However, recently, Avetik finally found a strong way to play for White and proved it with engines.

Did he record it to show everything he found?
Yes, of course
https://chessmood.com/course/french-defence/episode/3396

Note: The section is really advanced

Trap in the Alekhine

As the course is being update now, it's probably worth mentioning the 'trap' in the Nc6 introduction:

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 Nc6?? - Black tries to get this in a move early without d6

4. c4 - computer evaluation is now +2

4... Nb6 5. d5! - Surprise! Now where does the knight go?

or

4... Ndb4 5. a3 Na6 4. b4 Nab8 - a very sorry position which while not winning material the computer evaluations as nearly +4 - also probably the choice most opponents will make to not give away material. White now intends Nf3 d5 and Bb2

Replies

Sorry it is mentioned already, so this post can be deleted or left as a reminder as appropriate.

Yes, it is in the course but it will be a good reminder for everyone, I would not delete the post... It actually happened in one of my games long time ago and I just remembered it thanks to your post.

b3?

Did we come up with anything preferred approach? Had this twice recently and elected for e5 then Nc6 and a6 to stop Bb5. I got a decent position but I ended up with no real dynamism in my position, With +1.5 to -1.5 into a late and boring middle game both times. 

Replies

Apparently they'll be a course on beating 1. b3 shortly.

A question is whether b3 with f4 will be considered (or will that be for a later 1. f4 course)

Good news, Gabuzyan is finishing the recordings and it will be uploaded very soon, in the meanwhile, we can tell you that it is based on the same setup as the English opening that we already play:  c5-Nc6-e5-d6-g6 -Bg7 -Nge7. Maybe you can start trying it and see how it feels... For me, this setup has been fantastic, with very good results always!

Question about the move 9.h4 in Accelerated Dragon Course.

Hi ChessMood GM's, I face a new move in accelerated dragon in one of my game. https://lichess.org/fTRLwvCN7QGp . 

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8.

Bb3 Re8  and the move 9. h4 which has the highest win rate for white according to my database. 

These are few lines, I have thought of:

1) In the game I played 9...d6 which doesn't seem to be the best line as I goes into the mainline with a tempo down. 

2) 9...h5 10.f3 e6 11.Qd2 d5 12.Nc6 bxc6 13.0-0-0 Bb7. Seem that we have played the move h5?! and allow white to have strong attack 

3) 9...e6 seem very complicated after 10.h5 d5 12. hxg6 hxg6 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14. e5!? Nd7 15. f4 c5 and white has a very nice move 15.Nxd5!? which lead to a very complicated position.

4) Also there is line with 9.Qa5 10.f3 e6 11.Qd2 d5 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13. 0-0-0

I really struggle to find the best continuation myself. Hope to get suggestions from you guys. Thank you very much. 

Replies

Hi Wenstin,
I analysed this position with Stockfish 14 and made the following file for my database but it is not finished yet.  If you read another post I made on Pgns you will see that it is still missing some of the diagrams and plans that I normally put in for the equal positions.  But it should still give you an idea of the direction to focus and give you an idea on how tricky we can make life for white unless he responds with the correct moves at almost every point.  It amazes me how quickly white can collapse with what sometimes appear to be natural moves.

In short, you should be looking at responding with 9...d5!

I've attached a pgn because the analysis is too much to write in a post although I'm not sure I'm supposed to as the idea is you analyse the positions yourself and put them in a pgn.  You may find mistakes or improvements in it so I advise you to check it yourself. But for now, I'll attach my current file on it.
I hope it helps you.

I prepared this line for a game against an FM back in June with Avetik. This is the recommendation at the time:

9...d5 10.exd5 Na5 11.h5 Nxb3 now N or a pawn can take: 12.axb3 Nxd5 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.Bh6 Bxh6 15.Rxh6 Nb4! this is the point to remember in these lines. e5, Bf4 and Qg5 are our moves, the moves are not in order.

Now back to 12.Nxb3 b5! is very strong, If not taken we have b4 and also Bb7 to follow. 13.Nxb5 Nxd5 with a good game with usual positions.

The winner of November, 2021

Hello ChessMood family!

Thank you for sharing your games. We can clearly see you implementing what you’ve been learning from the courses, especially the classics! And it makes us very happy and proud! Keep going the same way! 

Moving on to the prizes for November month’s contest -

The first prize goes to Vedant Garg for his textbook-style attacking game in the Sicilian Grand Prix setup!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/30788980441?tab=analysis

The second prize goes to Wenstin for this nice attacking finish, starting with 18.Bxh7.
https://lichess.org/WeEwQWzk#53

Michael Larsen takes the third prize for showing how to punish an opponent’s King stuck in the center.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/31249768471?tab=analysis

The fourth prize goes to Ilja Haitin for his Ninja-like awareness to 29.Bd6+! and 30.f6! 4. https://www.vint.ee/en-gb/replay/12339239/

And the 5th prize goes to someone who’s shy to share their name, but brave enough to find an invisible 22.Rf5 move!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/ebfa66ec-3ffc-11ec-a312-2baecb01000d

Congratulations everyone! And thank you all once again for sharing your games! 

Best of luck with the next month’s contest.

Till then, keep the right mood and keep crushing!

Replies

Yippee! Thanks :)

Accelerated dragon 7. f4 ..., what move do we play?

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. f4

I considered two moves:

1-  7. f4 Qb6, I played this move but after 8. e5.. I had problems and I tried to Ng8-h6!!

2- 7. f4 d6 

Thanks for the help! what are your suggestions?

Replies

7…Qb6? is not a good move, as White has 2 good responses: either 8.e5, as you mention, or probably even better 8.Nf5! (protecting Be3 and threatening Nxg7+), Qxb2, 9.Nxg7+, Kf8, 10.Bd2! and White is clearly better as Kxg7+? does not work due to 11.e5! (trapping Nf6).
Therefore, Black should play 7…d6 (preventing 8.e5) with an equal game!

Hi Alessio,

I belive playing with d6 and regular ideas through the c file will be good enough. 
F4 idea against fianchetto systems is not that common.

Dear Furiosi. 
After 7.f4 you can play at least 7...d6 and after 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 it'll be transposed to our course.
There is no reason for White to start with 7.f4 as it gives additional ideas like 7...0-0 8.Be2 e5.
  

Question on Pasini

Hi,

I faced a line in the Pasini variation of the Modern Pirc that I have some questions about. Pasini Question (lichess.org)

The game started:

e4 g6

d4 Bg7

Nc3 d6

Be3 a6

g4 b5

Bg2 Bb7

h4 h6

g5 h5

d5 c5?!

I wasn't sure about the correct plan after c5 since this stops white's plan of Bd4, mentioned in the course. I ended up with a winning position and up material, so it worked! But I wasn't sure about white's best plan here. Thank you.

Replies

Hi Benjamin,

I've analysed this position with both Leela and Deep Fritz and it is interesting that Deep Fritz thinks Black is doing well and suggests different moves to Leela in almost every variation.  But after a while Deep Fritz comes around to Leela's assessment that white is much better.  I won't give the variations as they are too numerous but in general the plan that Leela suggests and ends up crushing Black no matter which plan Black adopts is as follows.

1. Play 10. f4 with the idea of pushing on to f5.
2. When black plays 10...b4 play 11. Nce2 Bxb2 12. Rb1 exploiting the pin on the b-file.  In many lines we play c3 and a3 and combine these threats on the Q-side with pushing through on the K-side.

3. If black adopts a plan of Qd7  (hitting our f5 pawn after f5 gxf5, exf5) we play Nh3 allowing him to take on f5 giving us half-open e and f-files and then follow up with Nhf4 followed by concentrating the pieces on the K-side with moves like 0-0. Bf2, Bg3 and Bh3 sometimes.  The concentration of pieces here leads to many Q-trapping motifs and eventually he needs to retreat.  Also with the Q on the K-side it has no real threats of its own as we have too many pieces here and so we can then opt to open the Q-side and penetrate with our R and Q on that side as if he has brought the Q over to the K-side then there are too few pieces defending his Q-side.  Sometimes we open the Q-side instead of chasing the Q back as it isn't doing much on f5 or g4 and exploiting its absence from the Q-side gives a solid advantage.

4.  If black plays Bc8 instead of Qd7 we can go Be4 defending f5 and again build up pieces on the K-side and combine this with threats to open the Q-side with axb4 and penetrate here exploiting Black's weak back rank.

5. If black doesn't push b4 immediately but simply waits with Nd7 we can play Nge2 and after b4 play Na4 in that case with the idea of c3 etc.  If Black plays Be5 we often offer the exchange of Bishops with Bf4 which he should decline and retreat to Bg7 and then we follow up with Ng3 and putting heavy pieces on the e-file to setup a breakthrough in the centre. 

As I say, through all this the Deep Fritz thinks black is doing fine but soon it realises that the position is +3 or better for white.  Leela seems to feel it from the beginning rating White's winning chances in the 80% range.  There are a lot of variations but I think this summary helps you think of Leela approved moves when you face it in a game and you have quite clear ideas to work with.

Dear Benjamin. 
Haven't I covered 7...h6 in the course? 
Please check it out: https://chessmood.com/course/modern-pirc/episode/1527 

And sorry if I misunderstood the question. 

The best games of November, 2021, and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of November 2021" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post the best games that you will play this month. 

The Prize fund is 350K MoodCoins which is equal to 350$.  

The 1st prize  - 150K
The 2nd prize - 100K
The 3rd prize-  50K
The 4th Prize- 30k
The 5th Prize- 20k

Good luck with your games and keep the Right Mood! 
#ChessMood
#Right Mood - Right Move 

P.S
Here are the winners of October:

Huynh Hoang
Valerio Carnicelli
Ayush Shirodkar
Vladimir Bugayev
Avinash 004

Replies

Let me start the collection of my adventures :)

Trying the passini var https://www.chess.com/game/live/29703651389 

Crazy caro 2Ns https://www.chess.com/game/live/29878165841 

https://www.chess.com/live#g=29791819277

Beautiful game!!

https://lichess.org/7pQCdx9G#11

https://www.chess.com/live#g=29848168923

https://www.chess.com/live#g=29870886169

I was piece down but I keep position complicated and find Ne4!!

https://lichess.org/PflrxJrQ/black

https://www.chess.com/pgns/view/ebfa66ec-3ffc-11ec-a312-2baecb01000d

Hope it still counts? :)

Btw, I had a really nice Grand Prix Attack game (using your starter kit!) with some very beautiful sacrifices, but unfortunately it wasn’t a recorded game :( 

but hopefully this one can make up for it…

Thanks!

https://www.chess.com/live#g=30057605971

https://www.chess.com/live#g=30058759989

Been experimenting with KID as an alternative to the Benko (My local club has been preparing hard for me in the Benko hehe). The experiment seems to being going well!

We must FEED the Dragon!

https://www.chess.com/game/live/30111500957

scotch attack

https://lichess.org/0Jt0WLFDSmhE

Sicilian

https://lichess.org/QrPZjhKe/white#39 

Mating attack against some unorthodox opening

https://www.vint.ee/en-gb/replay/12282495/

https://www.chess.com/live#g=30305883465

Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/sV8JZAXpSCBD

miniature with Cochrane against a GM 

https://www.chess.com/live#g=30397184563

Perfect attack!

https://lichess.org/uY60lRBG/white

Grob's Opening

https://lichess.org/l4RHNQ9p/black#41 

attack against the Dragon

https://www.chess.com/live#g=30488915707

https://lichess.org/2fUPcY5o

Game from Estonian rapid championship. 21. ... Nxf2!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/30788980441?tab=analysis

Play the Grand Prix and got a practically pleasant position.

Played 16.Rxf6!? to complicate matters and the opponent just blundered black with f5 and then 19.Rxf5!! and mate followed

https://lichess.org/4zIl3GJFdTHS

https://lichess.org/u6Jb5VY6SaDa

https://lichess.org/WeEwQWzkexRH

Nice finish.

My contribution for November: A game from our club championship (unrated) with 60min+30sec played OTB. 

A felt very well prepared by coach Gabuzyan's Sicilian Sidelines, Grand Prix with Bb5. Besides the concrete moves two things I had in my mind:

Don't be afraid of f4-f5 if white is not ready to attack and play against the e4 pawn, even using the rook (in my case, not the rook from a8 but from h8).

I find these kinds of games very satisfying.  I'm not super good with the tactics (need to do tactic ninja course still!) but these types of games where you just try to strangle your opponent move by move can be done even if tactics aren't your strongest point

https://lichess.org/bNIU9GAg/black#0

How often do you give a smothered mate to 2500 opponent in 18 moves?

https://lichess.org/yVeMbh75/white#1

Morphy-NN-like game :DDD

https://www.vint.ee/en-gb/replay/12327640/

Perfect game according to lichess

https://lichess.org/ItRiJAAT/white

Hello 

I recently played a very beautiful game, in a OTB, where I attacked with major pieces. Please find the game below.

P.S. From move 30 I played in great time pressure hence the moves may not be really accurate.

https://lichess.org/k0qUARjU/black

My good game with Black.

Hello :)

Here is my game submission for November 2021 (the link without annotations is in the study):

https://lichess.org/study/p1MIoze2/w5aprbNC

Have a nice day!

Inspired from my teammate

https://lichess.org/SVuSc8yGfQK8

Crush Opponent with Chessmood opening, using the power of center pawns in endgame.

https://lichess.org/YXdjZ2Sh/white

Tactical punishment.

https://www.vint.ee/en-gb/replay/12339239/

Here’s a fun game in the “Armenian French.”

https://lichess.org/LYnz6txiluZL

Sicilian

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/31249768471?tab=analysis 

Scotch

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/31608703243?tab=analysis 

Modern, final attack was quite pleasing with cool zugzwang

https://lichess.org/Sda0lxdH/white#57

Beat an FM.  Had one real blunder in the opening but he missed it too, then I was able to get a much better position.  Last 15 moves were a mess from both of us bc we had under 20 seconds.

https://lichess.org/wMOaLFZ6/white

https://lichess.org/u5wQQIbk/white

a pretty opening trap

https://www.chess.com/live#g=31856377637

French Bd3 game with a (temporary) sacrifice Nb5 + mate:
https://www.chess.com/game/daily/369201905

Scandi

https://lichess.org/i8QPjEf0Db6H

A nice win;

https://lichess.org/vMJpGwavOI0O

Benko against 2600 FM

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/32034687285

Antisicilian attack against 2500 FM

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/32035287995

Ad3 vs The French. Recomendation of Agaard in his book.

Hi, i want a recomendation with white.  In our course, the coach explain that white is better in this line 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Ad3 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.c3 cxd4 6.cxd4 Cc6 7.Cf3 Ad6 8.0-0 Cge7 (this is the Recomendation of Agaard in his book "Playing The French", isbte same position in other order of moves)9.Cc3 0-0 10.h3 (in chessmood videos, our coach said the plan is Te1 , Ag5 and Db3, but no mor lines), Agaard continued his variation 10...h6 11.Te1 Ae6 12.a3 Tc8 13.Ae3 Dd7 14.Dd2 Af5 (14...?Axh3).  Agaard said thal black is at least equal.  Can the coach help?.  Thks a lot.

Replies

Hi Chico. 
A very advanced question. 
During our streams, we see, that practically no one goes so far. 
I like their recommendation. Black might be okay. And in the course as well, I said that with correct play Black should be okay. But the position remains very fighting. 
After 10...h6 I would go 11.Re1 b26 12. Be3 Qd7 13.a3! Bf5 14.Bf1! (keeping the bishop), and preparing b4,Rc1,Na4,Nc5... 
The position is very fighting, despite the engine's "equal position" evaluation. 

Question in Scotch game

Hey

Replies

Hello Tomasz,

Since we don't have this line recorded and in our courses, it would be a little difficult to make brief recommendations. I would just say white has compensation for bad pawns structure. But generally, our main scotch is in perfect shape and I am using this line time-to-time to surprise my opponents.

Hello Tomas, this is definitely an interesting surprise line.

In the recent European team championship it was employed by young French player Maxime Lagarde against strong 2700 player Espienko. He won and France won a match against Russia.

There is a beautiful commentary of this game in French on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKZUi8q_6vw

Most of the good chess resources are in English, but the French Blitzstream channel, when Vladislav Tkachiev is commentating are a level above.

if you are not a French speaker, hopefully you can watch with english subtitles. I am not sure this is available though. 

where is the link for the tactic ninja quiz

Avetik mentioned you can find quiz links in the course page, but I can't find them. Thanks

Replies

Isn't that just the last part of each section?

The Chess Mood Repertoire

I've played all the White lines for many months now and the Benko. But not the Sicilian, as I've invested too much in the French to just jettison it. I'm interested which  specific CM openings you have found the most success with? On Li-Chess my grade oscillates between 2100 and 2200. 

For me :--- The Scotch Game -- very big plus score for me. Grand Prix Attack-- win some great attacks but seems easy to neutralise by stronger opponents. Tricky French I have a big plus score. Caro Exchange I rarely get a big king-side attack and also seems easy for well booked opponents . Maybe that is because in my recent experience most Caro ( and Petrov ) players seem to be Russian or East Europeans. I rarely get Pirc/Modern but sometimes get a run of Philidor Defence games and usually do well in these lines. With Black I have a huge plus score with the Benko.

What about you ?

Replies

I love seeing all the success you guys are having!

I have been using ChessMood openings exclusively for almost 3 years (3 years!) now.

I have a complete PGN file on all of our openings, with many lines extended from updates on my own play and experience.

I use Aim Chess for analytics, and I am always 97%-100% on the openings from the reports it runs. I almost always come out of the opening with at least a small advantage, and sometimes a clear advantage (.3-1.5), and that is with both colors! I play at about the 2100-2200 range on LiChess.

This also translates to over the board. In the last 2 tournaments (17 games) I have come out of the opening at least equal, and most time with an advantage, against every opponent. The average rating of my opponents have been just under 2100 FIDE, and includes 3 FIDE masters and 1 IM.

ChessMood openings are for real. These are not second rate openings designed to surprise people in online blitz (although they do this too! HAHA!). If you do a the work to learn the ideas, you will also notice yourself in situations you are much more comfortable in then your opponents will be. (It is very fun to watch an IM squirm, trying to figure out how he got outplayed in the opening by a lower rated player!)

As for individual openings and results:

In the scotch I am an assassin, my win rate is almost 70%. It is by far my favorite one to play!

It is also a bad idea to play the French against me. I even had an expert (rated 2024) fall into the Kevin Hall trap (Nxd4?) over the board recently!

The rest of the White openings are also good, even if I dont convert them all. My overall win rate with White is about 53%

From the black side I am a terror with the Acc Dragon. The only line the maintains any pull against me is the Moroczy lines, but I am learning to crack these open as well. Had a game against an FM in the last tournament that I was able to get an advantage from him out of his Moroczy, but I unfortunately let it slip away from me late in the game. (those guys are hard to finish off hehe)

Having the similar pawn structures in most of our black openings makes it much easier to remember the right ideas and be comfortable in most games. 

Playing ChessMood openings and reviewing them everyday for the last 3 years has made it very hard to surprise me in the opening (although I did have some one play the Grob against me in the last tournament!) and becuase I know I am unlikely to get surprised, I am confident when I sit down against any one, at any level, and know I will not lose from the opening. I will get a game!

I love seeing others have similar experience and successes with ChessMood openings, and hope to continue seeing these successes in the years to come!

Your brother in ChessMood,

GMJay

Scotch Surprise

Very little surprises me in the Scotch Game . But an opponent higher graded than me played a move I had not seen before.   e4 e5 :  Nf3 Nc6 : d4 e/d : Nxd4   Ne5 (?!) Odd-- I intuitively thought about Be2 after Nc3 aiming for a quick f4 . But it can get tricky and the old brain was reeling !!   Comments appreciated . 

Replies

I have never seen this move before either but as you say, Nc3 and f4, followed maybe by Bd2 if Bb4 is played will get us a good position where we castle long and attack on the king side, very playable for White. That said I am going to ask our gms if they have seen this move before too...

I have faced it a few times as well.

Its covered in the modernised scotch opening book. I can't recall how we are supposed to continue to be honest though 

Hi

Coach has this one of his stream games, see below

[Event "Live Chess"][Site "Chess.com"][Date "2019.06.07"]

[White "ChessMood"][Black "PIMB101"][Result "1-0"][WhiteElo "2237"][BlackElo "1953"]

[PlyCount "77"][EventDate "2019.??.??"][TimeControl "180"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Ne5 5. f4 Ng6 6. Nc3 Bc5 7. Be3 d6 8. Qd2 Nf6 9. O-O-O O-O 10. h4 Bb4 11. Bd3 Ng4 12. Bg1 Ne7 13. a3 Ba5 14. h5 h6 15. Nde2 Kh8 16. Bc4 f5 17. e5 Bb6 18. exd6 cxd6 19. Qxd6 Qxd6 20. Rxd6 Nf2 21. Bxf2 Bxf2 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Bxd5 Rb8 24. Rd1 b6 25. c4 Bb7 26. Kc2 Bxd5 27. R1xd5 Rbe8 28. Re5 Rxe5 29. fxe5 Re8 30. e6 Bc5 31. Rc6 Kh7 32. Nf4 Be3 33. Ng6 Bg5 34. b4 f4 35. Kd3 Rd8+ 36. Ke4 Rd2 37. Rc8 Bd8 38. Kxf4 Kg8 39. e7 {ChessMood won by resignation} 1-0

Hi Keven,

To be honest I never heard of Ne5 and that is a pretty surprising move. That piece will most probably get after a lot of tempos.

I thought to play Be2 followed by some short castles and f4 ideas. Or may be more ambitious with 0-0-0 and try to use that knight for the tempos.

In any case, I personally think Ne5 is not a move we need to be worried about.

b3 ?

This has become quite popular of late. I usually play e5 maybe Bc5 etc but what do you guys play ? 

Replies

I've made a note on two different set-ups against 1.b3 (from the streamings).

d5-Bg4 (Qb3 attacking b7 is not possible for white) -e6-Nd7-c6- possibly f5. This is the Avetik way.

And Gabuzyan: c5-Nc6-e5-d6-g6 -Bg7 -Nge7 like against English.

Hello ChessMood family,

Let me tell you the good news that we are working on course 1.b3 as black and it will be published in a near future.

Franco-Benoni

What do we play after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 c5?

Replies

As for my experience, I meet this among 1500-1800 players I play 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Qc7 7. Qd2 Qc7 and transpose to a Taimanov-Paulsen open sicilian setup, going for long castle and preparing a kingside attack. Of course, chessmood will publish the best way but after combinatorics I came up with this solution. Correct me if I am wrong somewhere. 

@Yair_E

Also 1.e4 d6 2.d4 c5?

Hello!

I agree 1.e4 e6 2.d4 c5 3.d5 is very strong. You don't have your c-pawn on c4 so this allows you to put a piece on this square (for instance with the typical Benoni maneuver - Nf3-Nd2-Nc4)

3.d5 is the most logical move, and it should be covered. I usually follow up with Nc3 instead of c2-c4.

3.Nf3 is against the spirit of the ChessMood repertoire in that it transitions to a main line Sicilian.

I found the following posts asking the same question, please check them for further reference>

https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/french-sicilian-or-something-else

https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/best-response-to-2-c5-after-1e6

https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/hwo-to-play-against-1e4-e6-2d4-c5

Very useful post in the previous link by Kevin D

https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/e4-e6-d4-c5

Since I can see that we got so many requests regarding the same question I will ask Avetik to record something in this line and since @Kevin_D is also asking about 1.e4 d6 2.d4 c5 :) I will ask  about this too. In the meanwhile, d5 and benoni style Nf3, Nd2, Nc4 is a good plan...

Hello Yair,

The easiest way will be 3.d5. That would go to Benoni setups, bit without c4 move which often favors to white. We can use that time for faster development, as well in the future we can use that square for Nf3-d2-c4 transfer. I would say it's a very rare line and not good at all for black.

Accelerated Dragon 6.Nde2

Hello all,

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7

I faced 6.Nde2!? ... Nf6 7.g3 O-O 8.Bg2 d6 9.h3 Bd7 (If Be6 then white can play Nf4) 10. O-O a6 11.a4 with a grip on d5.

What's our strategy as black in this line? It's not easy to trade pieces, break in the center or on the queenside. And it looks like white can launch a kingside attack starting with f4 soon.

Thanks, Alex

Replies

after 7.g3 I like b5!? now if white takes Nxb5 it's a great trade for central pawn for black and if 8.Bg2 then Rb8 with b4,a5 ideas is ok for black

Hi Alex, 

Usually black uses the c file in many sicilians.

Sometimes Rc8+Na5 or e5 with Nc4 threats are very strong and playable. When we have a fianchetto structure white can't create a dangerous attack since their own king will be weakened. Also, Na5 move often allows  b5 since the bishop on d7 joins the game.

Why is this website down?

https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/100-hours-of-courses-by-grandmasters-are-unlocked

In the article, it gives the link

http://link.chessmood.com/covid19

That link isn't working now...?

Replies

Article is over a year old. You think they are giving away content for a whole year?

Chess Goals 2022

Lets share our chess goals of 2022

Replies

My Goals of 2022

• Improving the quality of my study time: use this year to really understand how I can learn the most and how I can use the knowledge in practice.
• Create a 1e4 repertoire from white, get better at defensive skills and other middlegame themes in which I am weak and get better at complex endings like Q+R v/s Q+R or Queen Endings.
• Jan- Play 3-4 classical tmts.
• Feb to Apr-Deep study of the games and improve my chess
• May to July- Play as many tmts as much possible.
• August- A break from chess.
• Sep to Oct- Deep study of the games and improve my chess
• Nov- Play 3-4 tmts
• Dec- Analysis of my games and a little break.